Francesco Bagnꦓaia’s new contract with Ducati came after negotiations which were more difficult than MotoGP fans might have anticipated.

The renewal of Bagnaia at the Italian manufactu꧂rer beyond the end of this year appeared like a formality, and eꩵventually he penned a multi-year commitment worth a reported minimum of £6m per season.

But there were still obstacles to overcome before Ducati could tie down the reigning 𒁃MotꦛoGP champion.

Mauro Grassilli, who took over from Paolo Ciaౠbatti as Ducati sporting director, was responsible for the neg⭕otiations.

But he had never negotiated a MotoGP rider contract befoඣre.

“I come from a 20-year career in marketing, where my role was to br🐟ing together the greatest possible financial resources to make the MotoGP and WorldSBK teams work, through the relationship I had with the sponsors,” Grassilli explained to&🍌nbsp;.

“This is the first time I negotiated a contract in which I am the one who has the wa🍷llet, the money.

“I thought it was 🐻easy, and in r𒅌eality it was much more difficult than I imagined.

“But thanks to all parties we managed🧜 to reach an agreement.

“Everyone took the renewal of Pecco Bagnaia for granted,𝔍 but it was nowhere near as easy as peopl🐭e might think.”

The pressure to hang onto Bagnaia was increased by Gigi Dall’Igna’s hope th🍸at the contract would be finalised before the start of the season.

It wꦬas ultimately confirmed before the Qatar MotoGP which Baওgnaia then won.

“There was a moment when I did have doubts about being able to 🌃close it before Qatar, because perhaps I lacked the experience of understanding the entire context,” Grassilli said.

“My first renewal, with such an impo🥀r💖tant rider, was not easy.”

He add🌸ed: “The personal goal was to rene♍w Pecco before the first race, and we achieved it.

“And not only because of its results, but because it combines all the ꩲvaluesꦫ ​​of our brand, and he is very loved by the entire Ducati universe.”

The race💃 is on for the secoไnd factory Ducati seat in 2025, alongside Bagnaia.

Enea Bastianini is in🐎 🔯possession but Pramac’s Jorge Martin will quit Ducati unless he is promoted next year.

Marc Marquez is also an intriguing option.

Grassilli explained: “Now we have decidꦍed to slow down and see how events develop on the track.

“We have a competitive bike, the most desired 🔥on the grid, and that is why we are in no hu꧒rry to decide who will be the second official rider.

“The choice will be important, it has to be considered and it is some𝔉thing that requires time.

“We have many brokers that we can decide from.”